Ex vivo lung simulator

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and devices to simulate lung perfusion and or ventilation for training or development of lung related equipment.

1 . A lung simulator device, the device comprising an oxygenator, at least one inflatable reservoir, and tubing for ventilating and perfusing the device. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is connected to an external pump, a ventilator and monitoring equipment. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the device comprises EVLP equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device has two inflatable reservoirs. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxygenator is a permeable membrane oxygenator. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubing for perfusing the device comprises an arterial inlet and a venous outlet connected to the oxygenator. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubing for ventilating the device is connected from a ventilator to at least one inflatable reservoir via the oxygenator. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method of simulating a lung, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a lung simulator device, the device comprising an oxygenator, at least one inflatable reservoir, and tubing for ventilating and perfusing the device;   passing air into the device through the tubing to ventilate the inflatable reservoir and contact the oxygenator;   passing perfusate through the tubing to contact the oxygenator, wherein gas exchange occurs between the air and the perfusate in the oxygenator; and   measuring one or more parameters of the perfusate and/or air.